SEATTLE — An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning tied to Mexican-grown cucumbers has been linked to six deaths and nearly 900 illnesses since last summer, health officials reported Tuesday.
Two additional deaths and 50 more illnesses tied to the Salmonella Poona outbreak have been reported since the last update in November, the Centers for Disease and Prevention said.
That includes illnesses that began in January, raising new questions about an ongoing source of contamination.
Consumers who may have had recalled cucumbers are being urged to wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where the vegetables were stored and to wash reusable grocery bags often.
In addition, restaurants and retailers that received the recalled cucumbers should wash and sanitize any crates or other containers where cucumbers were held or sold, the CDC said.
Overall, 888 people in 39 states have been sickened by the outbreak that began in July and was tied to fresh slicing cucumbers grown in Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.
Andrew & Williamson of San Diego recalled all cucumbers marked with the Limited Edition label and sold between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3, 2015.
Custom Produce Sales of Parlier, Calif., also recalled all cucumbers sold under the Fat Boy label starting Aug. 1 because of potential contamination.
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